From Dusk Till Dawn

Rating:
Summary: "You're telling me I'm not good enough to drink here?!"
Review: I've seen quite a few films featuring writer/producer/director/actor (that last credit is given grudgingly) Quentin Tarantino's involvement in some form or other, my favorite being True Romance (1993) and my least favorite being Natural Born Killers (1994), both of which he wrote. One thing I've noticed throughout is Tarantino must be one of the biggest movie fans (he seems to thrive on the exploitive) I've ever seen, perhaps even bigger than me. How do I figure this? Because his films seem to be comprised of many other films, hucking parts of them into a blender, adding a dose of his own, skewed originality, a pinch of spunk (figuratively or literally, whichever you prefer), and hitting purée. Many adore him, many hate him (I fall somewhere in-between), but for me, he does entertain, and what more could you ask (a lot, I suppose, but you probably ain't gonna get it)? From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) features a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, and directed by Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City). The film stars George Clooney (O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Harvey Keitel (The Piano), Juliette Lewis (What's Eating Gilbert Grape), and Tarantino himself. Also appearing is a myriad of notables including the very curvaceous Salma Hayek (Frida), Cheech Marin (The Shrimp on the Barbie), character actor Danny Trejo (Con Air), special effects artist and actor Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead), 70's blaxploitation star Fred Williamson (Hell Up in Harlem, Black Caesar), Michael Parks (Escape from Bogen County), John Saxon (Enter the Dragon), and Kelly Preston (Mischief).

The film begins with two brothers, Seth (Clooney) and Richard (Tarantino) Gecko, on the run from the law. Seems these two have been very bad boys, first robbing a bank, and then killing a number of law enforcement agents during their escape (the brothers being the ones escaping, not the law enforcement agents...geez, why would law enforcement agents be trying to escape? Stay with me here). As we spend time with the brothers, we learn that the killings probably occurred at the hands of Richard, as he seems to be on the violent and unstable side (great combo, by the way), while Seth appears to be the brains, and possessing a much more firm grasp on reality. Anyway, the boys make it to Texas, their intent being to take the money from the bank job and live a life of luxury south of the border. Only problem is the law enforcement types, especially angered at the death of a few of their own, have thrown up a dragnet, and are closing in on the pair. Seeing their chances of making it across the border on their own ranging from slim to none (and slim just left town), the pair hitches a ride with Jakob Fuller (Keitel), his daughter Kate (Lewis), and Jakob's adopted son, in the family's recreational vehicle. The group does manage to slip through the border, and end up in the seediest biker bar you'll ever see, where Seth and Richard await contact with an associate who'll take them to the promised land, that is if they can survive the night as the bar turns out to be the equivalent of a vampiric roach motel, humans check in, but they don't check out.

I can see where this film might put some off, and I'm not just talking about the copious amounts of graphic violence (the film was actually toned down in this regard, if you can believe it. Look for the deleted scenes in the special features section to see what was cut). The movie starts off as one film (and action-type thriller), and then about an hour in, breaks off into an entirely different film (vampires, and those who kill them). The transition isn't entirely seamless, but I went with it anyway. Probably the best element in the film is George Clooney, as he not only has many of the best lines, but also delivers them in a convincing manner. Harvey Keitel is certain worth watching, yet he seemed to take his part just a bit too seriously at times, in my opinion, but this was offset by Clooney and his underlying jovialness. Lewis, whom I don't care for in general, did alright, and actually looked kinda cute, albeit a trifle skinny for my tastes. Tarantino was probably the weakest element in the film, but at least he and director Rodriguez had the good sense to populate the film with enough talent to offset this factor. If you're not a fan of the graphic violence, then you should avoid this one, as its loaded with visceral goriness (I read they decided to go with green blood for the vampires as to get much of the violence past the censors). I thought the direction by Rodriguez to be very strong, as he kept the film rolling along at a swift pace, and set the mood wonderfully not only with well thought out shots, but also a lot of interesting and applicable musical selections. I especially liked the song played during Selma Hayek's seductive dance routine. It was as beautiful as the actress herself...and speaking of Hayek, I don't think I've ever seen anyone fill out a bikini as well as she does...that scene might be worth the price of the disk alone.

The non-anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) picture is very good, and the audio is superior. Special features include a commentary track by Tarantino and Rodriguez, along with ads, two music videos, outtakes, three featurettes, still gallery, deleted/alternate scenes, and cast/crew bios. Also included is a 2nd DVD with a full-length feature titled Full Tilt Boogie, a film shot during the shooting schedule of From Dusk Till Dawn. The film was followed by two direct to video sequels, From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1999) and From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (2000). There is a box set with all these movies, but compare the price against the individual releases (I think the latter is cheaper).

Cookieman108


Rating:
Summary: Best combination of action, humor and vampires.
Review: Do not hesitate to get this movie, I have seen it over 7 times and never get bored of it.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful guilty pleasure
Review: Sometimes there are things in life we really like, but we don't admit to it. Maybe it's disco or pro wrestling or prunes. Whatever it is, you love it in secret...for fear of what others might think.

For me, this film is one of my guilty pleasures. Sure, there are a million campy things in the movie that we could point out if we wanted to, but why go to all that trouble? This is a silly, campy, fun, frightening, exciting, and sexy film. I watch it a few times a year, especially if my friends drop by.

Whenever people tease me about liking this film, I always stand my ground. If it's a woman who does the teasing, I say something like, "Hey, it's all just for fun." If it's a man who teases me, I take a look to the left...a look to the right...lean in and say, "Hey, Salma Hayek does a dance sequence in this film that will change your life."

James Green, author of "If There's One Thing I've Learned,"

Rating:
Summary: Awesome vampire movie as well as the collector's edition DVD
Review:
Two outlaw brothers, Seth Gecko ( George Clooney) and Richie Gecko ( Quentin Taratino) are on a fun crime spree as the FBI is looking for them. They take hostage of a traveling former preacher named "Jacob" ( Harvey Keitel) with his family ( Juliet Lewis and Ernest Liu) down to Mexico, over there they hide out in a sleazy strip bar in order to meet someone important to Seth. However, the bar isn't was it's cracked up to be, it is a den of vampires lead by the evil Santanco Pandemonium ( Selma Hayak) as Seth & company must battle against the bloodsucking fiends.

A wild and over-the-top action/horror thriller from director Robert Rodriguez and writer/co-star Quentin Tarantino that entertains and grosses out the viewer. It's very violent and gory to the max, but what works for this movie is that it's two parts of at first as a action movie then on the second half it's a vampire movie. The vampires are definitely awesome looking in this movie, so is Latin American beauty Selma Hayak in that bikini just sizzling the screen as the queen of the vamps, legendary make-up artist Tom Savini does a supporting role as Sex-Machine with explotitation vet Fred Williamson. The film is definitely one for the fans of George Romero's living Dead trilogy, Evil Dead, Re-Animator, Lucio Fulci, Tarantino, and Dead Alive.

This two-disc collector's edition is just as cool as the movie itself! there is great picture & mind-blowing sound quality to add to it, the extras are just exceptional such as an informative commentary by Taratino and Rodriguez, trailer, TV Spots, featurettes, still gallery, music video, alternate & deleted scenes ( Some which had to be cut out to avoid an "NC-17" rating) and the first disc is a full length documentary "Full Tilt Boogie" on how the film was made from beginning to end.

A must have DVD for the fans of gore flicks, Tarantino movies, vampire movies, action and horror comedies everywhere! but not for the squeamish.

Rating:
Summary: Good movie, but
Review:
If you can tolerate the crappy "acting" by Quentin Tarrintino, then you are a much more tolerant person than me.

Rating:
Summary: Sexy....
Review: This is really two films. A violent road movie for the first half, and a very funny (and violent) gore fest in the second. If you are a Quentin Tarantino fan you will like this film, and if you are a George Clooney fan you probably will too.

However, if you are a red-blooded male of pretty much any age, then I think you will LOVE this film. This is for one reason - and that is the snake dance by Salma Hayek. It has got to be the sexiest thing I have ever seen. The audience in the film looked genuinely gob-smacked, and Tarantino's dribbling was probably real too. A truly great scene that you really must see!!

Rating:
Summary: Great campy Hollywood horror
Review: This movie made me laugh harder than I have in a long time. It is the perfect combination of Hollywood camp and vampire horror. Tarantino is his usual glib self while Clooney is the great-looking tough guy. The addition of Salma Hayek as the snake-dancing leader of the vampires is classic casting, and the smaller appearances by ex-NFL Fred Williamson, Cheech Marin, and other names and faces that you will recognize adds just the right Hollywood flair. With the nudity and violence, this is definitely not a film for youngsters but grownups with a slightly offbeat sense of humor will appreciate the often tongue-in-cheek dialogue and acting.

Rating:
Summary: Wow.....this was something...
Review: I really enjoyed From Dusk Till Dawn. I won't go into story detail except that this film is pretty noticable mainly because of Tarantino and Jewlyit lewis. The film is pretty good, has some really great vampire make overs and has some pretty violent moments. This film isn't the type you should see with your lil' brother, this film does contain extream profanity, some nudity and some Gritty violent images and moments.

George Clooney was excellent in this film and has to be his best film. The film felt like a western type Vampire flick. The only thing about the film is that the first hour is superb but the last hour of the film just falls short with really lame Vampire sequences and some parts I rather not talk about. One part I will bring up though...This film had a pretty upsetting depressing scene which involves a girl and her Brother and Her EX-preacher Father..Honestly is it just me or was anyone els upset about what happends to her family at the end of the film. Very unsettling scene. What I really enjoyed was the fact that even though Clooney is a ruthless criminal you're still gonna' be rootin' for him just to make sure he survives. Great film..
Great acting
Great Vampires
very sad moments near the end of the film...

Great film...

4.1 out of 5...If you're looking for something like this check out John Carpenters Vampires....great film..

Lates..

Rating:
Summary: Sadly, I liked Jon Bon Jovi in VAMPIRES: LOS MUERTOS better.
Review: George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino are brothers (yeah, right) on the run from the law. After they blow up a convenience store - which is also the best scene of the movie - they kidnap ex-preacher Harvey Keitel and his two teenage kids. They cross the border into Mexico together and end up at a large biker bar, but this ain't no regular biker bar it's also the home to some of the goofiest looking vampires since Paul Rubens in BUFFY THE VAMPIRE HUNTER. And wait until you check out those body part instruments that the vampire band is playing. I felt like a dork just looking at `em.

The premise of this movie is great. I love the idea of the tough criminals vs. the vampires, but unfortunately instead of going for the gritty realism of NEAR DARK director Robert Rodriguez pours on the cheese and it ends up coming off more like BORDELLO OF BLOOD.

The only reason this film has any shelf life at all is because it has Quentin Tarantino name on it.

D: Robert Rodriguez (SPY KIDS 1 - 3)
S: Quentin Tarantino (PULP FICTION, RESERVOIR DOGS)

Jacob Fuller - Harvey Keitel ( TAXI DRIVER, PULP FICTION)
Seth Gecko - George Clooney ( OUT OF SIGHT, THE PERFECT STORM)
Richard Gecko - Quentin Tarantino ( PULP FICTION, RESERVOIR DOGS)

Rating:
Summary: The only dusk till dawn movie you need.
Review: From dusk till dawn is one of the most entertaining films I have ever seen. Both quinten Tarantino and George Cloony are absolutly brilliant together. When it comes down to it, movies of this genre dont get to much better than this. I think this is Quinten Tarantino's best film ever although I cant really say much for the other 2 dusk till dawn's except that they kinda sucked. I even liked it better than Pulp Fiction.